IgE cross-reactivity between house dust mite allergens and Ascaris lumbricoides antigens

Abstract

BackgroundCommon antigens between intestinal parasites and environmental allergens may play a role in the modulation of allergic immune responses. There is a growing interest in investigating cross-reactivity between common helminths and dust mites affecting humans, particularly in the tropics.ObjectiveThis study examined the cross-reactivity between the human roundworm Ascaris lumbricoides (Al) and three house dust mite (HDM) species.MethodsSpecific serum IgE levels to HDM species Blomia tropicalis (Bt), Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df ); and Al extracts among allergic (n=100) and ascariasis (n=60) subjects were measured through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgE-reactive components of HDM and Al extracts were detected through Western-Blot Analysis. Cross-reactivity between HDMs and Al was determined by ELISA inhibition using HDM and Al-specific sera from allergic (n=15) and ascariasis (n=15) subjects. The IgE-binding capacity of a recombinant paramyosin peptide (Blo t 11-fD) to allergic (n=50) and ascariasis (n=50) subjects' sera were likewise determined.ResultsAmong allergic subjects, 70% exhibited Al-specific positive IgE-reactivity, while 20-28% of ascariasis subjects demonstrated HDM-specific positive IgE-reactivity. Multiple IgE-reactive components of HDM allergens (14-240 kDa) and Al antigens (15-250 kDa) were detected, indicating multi-allergen sensitization among the subjects tested. Al antigens can inhibit up to 92% of HDM-specific IgE-reactivity among allergic subjects, while up to 54% of Al-specific IgE-reactivity among ascariasis subjects was inhibited by HDM allergens. Positive rBlo t 11-fD-specific IgE reactivity was observed in 80% of the allergic subjects and 46% of the ascariasis subjects.ConclusionsThis study showed the presence of multiple cross-reactive antigens in HDM and Al extracts. Identification of these molecules may provide basis for designing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The potential role of paramyosin as a specific cross-reactive allergen present in HDMs and Al has been shown.

Determination of Geohelminthiasis and Its Association with Allergic Sensitization among Selected Children in Batangas, Philippines

“…It clearly indicates that many of the children with geohelminthiasis were more prone to be allergic to inhalants than seafood. According to Barreto et al (2006), Fallon and Mangan (2007) and Lee et al (2013), this may suggest that intestinal parasitic infection may play a role in the development of atopy notably, respiratory allergies Alcântara-Neves et al, 2010;Cauyan et al, 2012;Beyers et al, 2006).…”

“…Data regarding the children's demographic profile and allergic diseases were collected from the parent/guardian by employing the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Phase I questionnaire as patterned from previous studies of Dubois, Kerkhof, Monchy, Postma, and Schouten (2003), Cauyan et al (2012), Alcântara-Neves, Badaró, Barreto, dos Santos, and Pontes-de-Carvalho (2010) and Amarasekera et al (2012). It was slightly modified with the addition of core questionnaire for food allergy, translated to Filipino and subjected to face validation from their advisers and a panel of experts such as pediatrician, immunologist, linguist and psychologist.…”

“…Research findings for the past few decades indicated either a protective or inhibitory relationship between helminth infections and allergic diseases though they are discretely considered medical conditions (Cauyan, Ramos, & Valmonte, 2012). Although helminth infections can modulate the host inflammatory response directed against the parasite, a causal association between helminths and atopic diseases remains uncertain (Cooper, 2009).…”

“…Until now, there is a large and growing literature of the interaction between parasite infections and allergy derived from observations in humans and experimental animal models (Fallon & Mangan, 2007). Yet, the nature of the relationship and the mechanisms that lie behind it are still unclear and controversial (Cauyan et al, 2012).…”

Human Helminths and Allergic Disease: The Hygiene Hypothesis and Beyond

“…[116][117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128] We have demonstrated that helminth infection can be associated with increased IgE responses to many different allergens, especially those structurally related to parasite antigens. 116 Individuals infected with filarial parasites were shown to have higher levels of IgE against HDM and cockroach extracts (that have several major allergens with homologues in filarial parasites) but not against timothy grass extract, an allergen extract with just a few minor allergen homologues in helminths.…”